We have all been there. You crave the bold flavors of your favorite restaurant chain, but you do not want the heavy sodium, hidden fats, or expensive delivery fees that come with it. Ordering takeout can easily derail your health goals and strain your weekly budget.
The good news is that you can recreate those iconic restaurant dishes right in your own kitchen. By using fresh ingredients, controlling the oil, and swapping in smart alternatives, you get all the incredible flavor with a fraction of the calories.
Here are healthy, delicious copycat recipes of America’s most popular takeout dishes that you can make at home tonight.
1. Healthy Burrito Bowls (Chipotle Copycat)
- The Secret Swap: Use extra-lean ground beef or chicken breast, and swap the heavy sour cream for seasoned plain Greek yogurt.
- How to make it: Cook a batch of brown rice and stir in fresh cilantro and lime juice. Top the rice with seasoned grilled chicken, rinsed canned black beans, sweet corn, and a massive scoop of fresh pico de gallo. Finish with a quarter of a sliced avocado for healthy fats without the extra charge.
2. Baked Orange Chicken (Panda Express Copycat)
- The Secret Swap: Bake the chicken instead of deep-frying it, and sweeten the sauce with fresh orange juice and a touch of honey instead of corn syrup.
- How to make it: Toss bite-sized chicken breast pieces in cornstarch, egg white, and a pinch of salt. Bake at 400°F until crispy. While it bakes, simmer orange juice, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, ginger, and honey in a pan. Toss the crispy chicken directly into the sticky glaze and serve over steamed broccoli.
3. Skinny Pad Thai (Local Thai Takeout Copycat)
- The Secret Swap: Reduce the heavy oil, swap half the rice noodles for spiralized zucchini noodles (zoodles), and use a natural sweetener.
- How to make it: Sauté shrimp or chicken with minced garlic and a beaten egg. Toss in your noodle mix, bean sprouts, and green onions. Whisk together tamarind paste (or lime juice), low-sodium soy sauce, and a touch of maple syrup for the sauce. Pour it over the skillet and top with crushed peanuts.
4. Air-Fryer Pepperoni Pizza (Pizza Hut Copycat)
- The Secret Swap: Use a high-protein flatbread or a whole-wheat tortilla as the crust, and choose turkey pepperoni.
- How to make it: Spread a thin layer of low-sodium marinara sauce over a flatbread. Top with part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese and turkey pepperoni slices. Pop it into the air fryer at 375°F for about 5 to 7 minutes until the crust is deeply crispy and the cheese is beautifully bubbled.
5. Sesame Chicken Lettuce Wraps (P.F. Chang’s Copycat)
- The Secret Swap: Use lean ground chicken or turkey instead of beef, and serve the mixture in crisp lettuce cups instead of fried wrappers.
- How to make it: Brown ground chicken in a skillet with minced water chestnuts, garlic, and ginger. Stir in a quick sauce made from hoisin sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, and a splash of sesame oil. Spoon the hot, savory meat into large, crisp leaves of iceberg or butter lettuce.
6. Lightened-Up Fettuccine Alfredo (Olive Garden Copycat)
- The Secret Swap: Create a rich, velvety sauce using a base of steamed cauliflower and light cream cheese instead of heavy cream and sticks of butter.
- How to make it: Blend cooked cauliflower florets with low-sodium chicken broth, garlic, a spoonful of light cream cheese, and plenty of grated Parmesan until completely smooth. Toss this thick sauce with high-protein pasta and sliced grilled chicken breast for a comforting yet guilt-free dinner.
7. Crisp Chopped Salad (Subway Copycat)
- The Secret Swap: Control the toppings and make your own light vinaigrette instead of using heavy, preservative-packed bottled dressings.
- How to make it: Chop up romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, and red onions into tiny, bite-sized pieces. Add sliced deli turkey breast or roasted chicken. Drizzle with a homemade mix of olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper, then toss thoroughly.